Regulating Reservoir dam
Regulating Reservoir
Regulating Reservoir, also known as Tesla, is a critical water management infrastructure located in El Paso, Colorado, specifically in the city of Colorado Springs. Owned by the local government, this reservoir plays a crucial role in water supply for the region, with a maximum storage capacity of 544 acre-feet and a normal storage of 443 acre-feet. Completed in 1996, this earth dam stands at a height of 96 feet, with a spillway width of 42 feet to manage a maximum discharge of 3570 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, Regulating Reservoir is equipped with state-of-the-art regulatory and inspection mechanisms to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam has a high hazard potential, but its condition has been assessed as satisfactory as of September 2020. Despite its moderate risk assessment rating, the reservoir is well-prepared with emergency action plans and meets regulatory guidelines to mitigate potential risks.
With its strategic location on the West Monument Creek-TR stream and its role in water supply for the region, Regulating Reservoir stands as a testament to effective water resource management in the face of climate challenges. As climate enthusiasts and water resource advocates, it is imperative to monitor and support such critical infrastructure to ensure sustainable water management practices for the future.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Regulating Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Monument Creek At Air Force Academy | 2 cfs | → |
| West Monument Creek Below Rampart Reservoir | 4 cfs | → |
| Monument Cr Abv Woodmen Rd At Colorado Springs | 14 cfs | → |
| Monument C Ab N.Gate Blvd At Usaf Academy | 9 cfs | → |
| Cottonwood Creek At Mouth | 4 cfs | → |
| Monument Creek At Pikeview | 19 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Regulating Reservoir.
Campgrounds
- Peregrine Pines Military - Usaf Academy
- Peregrine Pines Family Camp
- Thunder Ridge
- Thunder Ridge Campground
- Meadow Ridge
- 24
Fishing spots
- Nichols Reservoir
- Homestake Fishing Site
- Rampart Reservoir
- Deadmans Creek
- Pikeview Reservoir
- Crystal Creek Reservoir
Track Regulating Reservoir in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Regulating Reservoir
Where does the data for Regulating Reservoir come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Regulating Reservoir.